Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-07-14
OUR NATIONS AFFAIRS
Discussed at Length by THE Oom.
mittee on Facts"
TAuLEquAu. July sth, 1887.

EDITOR OHlEfIAlN AS Ol0 vi
the Committee on Facts" l beg
leave 10 make a short statement
for publication so that our citizens
may clearly understand our pres
ent status and the necessity of
changing our present ruling pow
er for a new one. There is one
thing which is a plain fact we
cannot be worsted and the chances
are that we will be bettered. Our
public funds now and for the last
eight years are virtually lost. The
interest on our invested funds in
the hands of the United States
government amounts to $4,000
annually. Our home revenue east
Of 90 degrees, the sales of lands on
the Kansas strip, not touching the
grass money west Of the Arkansas
river, all amounts to large sums Of
money. We ask whose money it
is ? and answer, il is the peoples
money. Then we ask again, do
they ever get any of it2 The peo-
pie can answer this. Where does
all this money go Answer, no one
knows, only those who getit. All
our public funds belong equally
to the Cherokee people. We ask
then, is it matter ofequal justice? ?
We answer it is not. because it is
equally the peoples money.
Then you find that a poor man,
his wife and eight children pay
every year the interest of his own
money-about $4,000 annually.
Then go to this house and many
of them have not got that much
property on the place. Then go
TO some OF our rich citizens, worth
along from ten, twenty and up to
$50, 600 with five in family and he
only pays a tax annually of s65 90.
We ask, is this justice 2 We
answer, no honest man will say
that it is just and the people now
only have one show for justice and
that is to change our present rul-
ing powers.
The only show the Cherokee
people have for continued exist
ence is 20 live up 10 our treaties,
our constitution and our laws. Our
present administration has been in
power over eight years. Their
cash boat has been piloted by w.
A. Phillips and we are informed
that since his employment by the
Cherokee nation he has received
over $3.50, 600 Of the peoples mon
ey. If the National party is again
successful in the coming election
we have heard it said Phillips will
receive back pay for his time con-
tinued.
Please let us see how other part
les have been treated in money
matters, viz: the Delawares, the
whites, the colored people and the
Shawnees. When money was paid
per capita neither of the above
classes received one dollar. Why
was this? Because they were in
the hands of the National party
which never has done anything for
either Of the above classes since 1t
came into power.
As 10 our constitution and our
own laws, there is not a particle Of
difference made in regard TO the
rights Of a citizen OF the Cherokee
nation until the National party
passed the law to pay money only
TO Cherokees by blood. That law
still stands upon our statutes ready
for the next payment. Then for
the safety of the men, women and
children who have been piteously
robbed by the National party let
us appeal to the Downing party
for our rights in the future.
We ask one more short state
ment Of facts. When a National
candidate calls on any voter who
has received the above treatment
and talks TO voter kind and good
and asks for help in the present
election, we think the National
candidate should be plain and
frank, and speak out and say :
"We want your vote but marry a
dollar will you or your wife or
your children ever get, because it
would be a violation of our laws
now on the statutes of the Chero-
kee nation" The above policy Of
the National party has been clear
ly manifested both at home and
| in Washington City. When the
petition from the Shawnees, Della
wares and colOred people went up
to congress for action, claiming
their moneyed rights, and came be-
fore the senate Indian committee,
Chief Bushyhead and w. "A. Phillips
strained every nerve against the
colored people, the Delawares and
Shswnees and finally maneuvered
around until they succeeded in
getting the bill defeated and now
are bending every nerve and bend.
ing money TO obtain the votes ol
these same people. They are still
going Notwithstanding 10 81. Louie
for state raised colored man (by
name j. Milton Turner TO come
into the Cherokee nation and as
sist the National party in obtaining
votes in the present election. The
said Turner promptly met the
leaders of the National party al
Muskogee and the plan maturec
and the said j. Milton Turner
turned loose, rough shod, dragon.